5 of the Rarest Dog Breeds in the World

In today’s world, it seems like dog breeds are springing up left and right with new mixes on the end of leashes at every park. There are nearly 200 American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized breeds, with four or five new breeds added every year.

When someone mentions a Labrador retriever or Great Dane, just about everyone instantly can picture what that breed looks like in their imagination. Dogs are bred for specific traits, like the loving loyalty of the Lab, or the size and strength of the Great Dane. With the ever-changing times and the need to adapt to new surroundings, these breeds have seen their numbers dwindle as their place in history becomes clearer.

Five Rare Dog Breeds

Finnish Spitz

Agile, hardworking, and intelligent, the Finnish Spitz hits the list at number five due to the restrictions it faces in maintaining solidarity from other breeds and the need for its labor.

The Finnish Spitz features a cuddle-worthy, thick coat, stout and pointed ears, and a bushy tail that will never stay still. This energetic breed might be on the move in declining numbers in the next few decades.

Tibetan Mastiff

Describing a Tibetan Mastiff as a “big softy” carries a double meaning. These massive canines are known for their gentle demeanor towards their owners, but also feature a double-coat to keep them warm in frigid climates.

Tibetan Mastiffs feature a more solitary disposition but readily guard the household of their masters, making them low maintenance but difficult in obedience school.

Mudi

This medium breed Hungarian herding dog, like others on this list, is full of energy and constantly in motion. The Mudi is an effective eradicator of rodent pests and suitable for herding livestock.

Give this breed plenty of space to run free, and frequent walks if you like having a loyal and durable friend around in your active lifestyle.

Peruvian Inca Orchid

One of the oldest and most seasoned breeds on our countdown, the Peruvian Inca Orchid can be spotted in literature as far back as AD 750, and the breed has the appearance to back its age. While the Peruvian Inca Orchid won’t win any awards for an illustrious coat (most are nearly hairless), they are treasured for their intelligence and agility.

Originally bred for hunting, these dogs can feature different colors of skin and fur on their faces, which are said to resemble a wise old sage.

New Guinea Singing Dog

Commonly confused with the Shiba Inu due to the color of its fur, its rounded face, and stocky body, the New Guinea Singing Dog can be easily distinguishable as soon as it opens its mouth. This breed is known for their long howls, physical abilities and exploits, intelligence, and somewhat independent demeanor.

The New Guinea Singing Dog is rare for many reasons, but chiefly its origins. The breed began as a natural occurrence, but became domesticated as human civilization spread to its territory.

It should be noted that it is quite remarkable that a breed from just north of Australia can look so similar to the Shiba Inu from Japan. If you put a New Guinea Singing Dog in the same room with a Shiba Inu and a Dingo, you might just have to wait until one of them starts singing to distinguish between each of the breeds.